Saturday Blitz
Fansided

College Football: Ranking the 10 easiest Power Five schedules in 2017

By Zach Bigalke

Sep 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Dante Pettis (8) outruns the Rutgers Scarlet Knights punt team including tight end Nick Arcidiacono (42) for a 68-yard return for a touchdown during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 48-13. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Dante Pettis (8) outruns the Rutgers Scarlet Knights punt team including tight end Nick Arcidiacono (42) for a 68-yard return for a touchdown during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 48-13. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 11
Next
Dec 27, 2016; San Diego , CA, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Rashad Still (88) runs with the ball as Washington State Cougars safety Jalen Thompson (34) defends during the second half at Qualcomm Stadium. Minnesota won 17-12. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; San Diego , CA, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Rashad Still (88) runs with the ball as Washington State Cougars safety Jalen Thompson (34) defends during the second half at Qualcomm Stadium. Minnesota won 17-12. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Last year Minnesota reached nine wins for the first time since 2003. Given the dysfunction that hit the program at the end of the year, nine wins might be a tall task again. But new head coach P.J. Fleck at least has one of the most favorable possible Power Five schedules to start his career at his new post. In non-conference play the Golden Gophers open with Buffalo (2-10 in 2016), play at Oregon State (4-8), and finish with Middle Tennessee (8-5).

Minnesota also lucked out by avoiding both Penn State and Ohio State in cross-division scheduling. Though they do play at Michigan (10-3) on November 4, they also have home games against East teams Maryland (6-7) and Michigan State (3-9). They will also try to win back Paul Bunyan’s Axe against Wisconsin (11-3) for the first time since 2003.

As schedules go, Minnesota has a fair number of tests. But they are balanced by plenty of games against relative scrubs. Fleck probably won’t have as magical a season as the one he engineered last year with Western Michigan, but the Gophers should manage to extend their bowl streak to six years without too much difficulty thanks to the schedule as a whole.

Home/College Football News